Reykjavík Grapevine - 04.12.2009, Síða 4

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We're not gonna lie to you: we really love us some beers.
Some folks would call it a problem, but beer never gave
us any problems. In fact, over the years, it's solved most
of 'em. A frosty glass of cold, frothy, bubblicious, golden-
tinted beer has consistently failed to let us down. In the
immortal words of Homer J. Simpson: "Mmm... Beer..."
Now, since we're real pleasant and giving folks here
at the Grapevine, we thought we'd share some of that
wonderful FREYJA BEER with you, our readers. Until
the end of days (or our FREYJA-sponsorship program,
whichever comes first), we will reward one MOST
EXCELLENT LETTER with a case of the Freyja. You read
right. A full case of Freyja. At your disposal. For drinking
(and did we mention that Freyja is pretty much our
favourite beer these days? Because it is. No lie!).
MOST AWESOME LETTER:
Dear Grapevine,
I am not much of a reader but I am in Borgarnes, iceland for the next six months on
a basketball contract from Canada and since most of the stuff here is in Icelandic I
didn't have to read that much but with so much free time on hand and surfing the
web and using Google translate this past month I came across your news paper at
the restaurant and thought to my self hmmm this is in English so as I read a page
on night life in REYKJAVIK AND BEST PLACES TO HOOK UP AND WHERE
THE GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE GO OR WHERE THE CHEAP DRINKS BARS
OR FOREIGN BARS ARE I WAS LIKE THIS IS WHAT I NEEDED. and the way you
write the paper and so simplified to our new way of speaking the language called
English( esp the F word) i was excited. so now i pick your paper up every time its
out and this one is my second one and then I cam across a story about this African
Guy named momo dealing with immigration.
I mean i feel for the guy and hope that he renews his work permit and continues
to work here in Iceland. I mean I am originally from Africa and now a Canadian
citizen maybe like he said it would easier for me but I am pretty sure there are tons
of immigrates from different places here in Iceland and i don't think one group
would be isolated like that unless they are not following the rules. I don't know if
some of the stuff he mentioned are true but it really made me feel for me. shit is
tough out there and sometimes you have to try talking to different people in the
same department to get your information right. and when you have tried different
people that's when you can make a conclusion and say hey maybe because I am
African that's why. I am not siding with the govt at all but i just think you just have
to try a different person in there or find out more people who has gone through this
and hope to find an answer and the main thing is that you get your work permit or
resident papers and continue to do what you have to do to live up you life. shit is not
good out there all around the world and we are all limited to do things and don't
get me wrong I am here in Iceland because my situation wasn't the best in Canada
but here I can actually slow down my mind and look around some of the incredible
views from mountains, to the northern lights and enjoying the hot tubs after prac-
tice, and that gives me a better chance to envision where i want to be in the next few
years. i mean the future holds the best for us.
now am running off topic or well I enjoy your paper and keep writing and now am
all over your website this will fill my schedule here in this small city, BORGARNES.
keep writing.
SIL SMOO
Hey Sil,
we are happy to learn you find the Grapevine useful and enlightening, and it’s cool
you’re enjoying your time in Borgarnes. It’s a fine little town, for sure. Hopefully,
you are also shooting some hoops, slamming some dunks and scoring points for
your mighty team, Skallagrímur! As for your long-ass paragraph there in the mid-
dle, we’ll be damned if we understand it. But you’re cool – have some beer on us and
the good folks of Ölvisholt.
Dear Grapevine,

In Australia in recent months, and I suspect
in several other western countries, we have
been subjected to current affairs programs
dealing with the demise of Iceland’s econo-
my. From the investigative Dateline and For-
eign Correspondent to the local version of the
tabloid 60 Minutes there has been no short-
age of coverage of Iceland’s financial collapse.

Is this a case of schadenfreude? I doubt it,
for most Australians have never met an Ice-
lander so would be unlikely to derive pleasure
in their pain. Moreover, I cannot think of a
single reason why anyone would have any ill-
feeling towards your people. Having visited
your shores this year, I found Icelanders to
be a fun-loving, modest, civil and tolerant
people.

I get the feeling however, that both our peo-
ples have the same distaste for the greed and
corruption that accompanied the rise and
fall of Iceland’s financial system. That those
‘entrepreneurs’ remain uncharged and liv-
ing in havens such as Luxembourg, makes
the scandal unresolved, unremedied and
unavenged.

Iceland’s inhabitants are clearly their victims.
Most of the British and Dutch depositors
found protection from their cashed-up gov-
ernments. Whilst I really feel for Iceland’s
people, clearly the way out of this mess is for
Iceland to embrace Europe (and to be em-
braced), continue to do the things your people
do well, and cherish the things that make liv-
ing in your country so special. [enclosed links
to Aussie TV coverage redacted]

Regards
CT

PS: I've kept my 3 copies of the The Reykjavik
Grapevine. They are cherished mementos of
my time there.
Dear CT,
what? The Australians are schadenfreuding
on us Icelanders now? That sucks. What did
we ever do to them? It’s not like we’re oppress-
ing an indigenous minority or anything.
Anyway, since you clearly oppose the offend-
ing reports, I trust that you’ll defend our
honour down under – hopefully you have a
full-fledged letter writing and general image-
mending campaign underway. Lord knows
our elected officials ain’t doing shit to defend
our name.
Also, if you ever get bored of reading our three
issues you have, rest assured that we post each
new issue on-line, so you can keep on reading
‘em. See you soon!
Dear Grapevine,
Just a quick note to let you know that your
ongoing "History Of Icelandic Rock Music"
series has become my favorite feature of your
magazine now that "The Lonesome Traveler"
series is no more. That is all. Carry on...
-John Evicci
Dracut, Massachusetts, USA
Dear John,
(hah! A ‘Dear John’ letter!) thank you for voic-
ing your appreciation of the rock history col-
umns. They are among our favourite features,
too. As for the Lonesome guy, Fabrizio, we’re
hoping he returns this summer. Those were
some pretty great articles.
Hi,
just read almost half of the day the last couple
of issues of your fine magazine and had to
laugh out loud often. Your Kreppa analyses
take my full attention. Having been living
in Iceland for 2,5 years, now working again
in Germany for funding my family and my
house (both in Iceland) reading your maga-
zine is refreshing and surprisingly most
of your analysis reflects my own thinking.
Since Oddson is in charge at Morgunbladid, a
magazine like yours is utterly important. The
only drawback I see is that you cannot pub-
lish daily. As Ferdinand Lasalle states: "Every
political action begins with a statement about
what is." Please continue and make state-
ments about what is, but more often! You
need subscribers? Here you are.
Daniel Schnell
Dear Daniel,
Thank you for your kind words. It’s good to
hear you’re getting something out of the mag.
Running daily would indeed be a lot of fun,
and I am sure Iceland would do well with
having a daily bearing our non-outlook (I
often wonder if locals aged 20-35 don’t need
someone to speak on their behalf). But we’ve
enough trouble doing it monthly (or every
other week during the summer). Our am-
bitous prose and beautiful illustrations take
FOREVER to produce. Hah.
As for subscription enquiries, you should e-
mail subscribe@grapevine.is and we’ll sort
you out.